VSAT

Features and benefits

The VSAT is a norm-referenced measure of an individual’s ability to scan accurately and sustain attention on each of four different visual cancellation tasks.

It consists of four visual cancellation tasks that require the respondent to cross out letters and symbols that are identical to a target. 

• Yields an overall attention score and provides separate scores for left- and right-side performance to assess visual field defects, unilateral spatial neglect, or syndromes that affect the perception of portions of the visual space.
• Test-retest reliability over an average of 2 months is .95. The test correctly differentiated 84% to 86% of normal and brain-damaged subjects in validation and cross-validation samples. Sensitivity ranged from .78 to .88 and specificity ranged from .86 to .87.
• Normative data are provided by age group.

Appropriate populations

• The VSAT has been standardized and validated for use with adults 18 years of age and older. Reliable administration requires that respondents possess adequate color discrimination and have corrected vision adequate for normal reading.
• Administration of the VSAT is not appropriate with respondents who have physical disabilities that would adversely affect performance (e.g., hemiparesis involving the dominant hand).
• Syndromes whose manifestations include reduced perception of portions of visual space (e.g., unilateral spatial neglect, visual field defects) may result in unusual patterns of performance on the VSAT. The most frequently occurring of such syndromes will typically affect the relative pattern of performance on left versus right target stimuli. Normative data are provided for the Left and Right scores to assist in determining whether the respondent tends to be less attentive to stimuli on one side of the midline as compared to the other side of the midline.
• Administer the VSAT as part of your assessment battery for left CVA, right CVA, closed-head injury, and a mixed group of nonlateralized injuries (e.g., global CVA, multi-infarct dementia, seizure disorder).